OUR CHEESE FACTORY, A DESTINATION WELL WORTH THE DETOUR !
We are not the ones saying it, you are ! And hearing these words meansthe world to us because we built our cheese factory not only to promote excellent cheeses, but also to showcase the richness of our region, the Temiscouata ! Its people, artisans, local products and landscapes ! Don’t hesitate to drop by !
Mario and Ginette
Mario Quirion has always had an interested in the food industry. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in Food science and technology from the Université Laval, his first student job was in the milk processing business for the Coopérative Agrinove in Beauceville.
Upon graduation, he worked for many years in the transformation and development of dairy products. His experience led him to become production manager at a meat processing plant. More than 15 years went by before Mario decided to make acomeback in the dairy business. His desire to become an entrepreneur inspired him to open a cheese factory in Témiscouata.
Good thing since his wife is passionate about cheese !
Combining her passion for cheese with her administrative skills Ginette Bégin joins him in the adventure and takes care of product management and marketing.
In 1999, the Fromagerie Le Détour began operations. With the help of a mentor, Mario learns the art of cheese making. Initially the business focussed on the production of fresh cheeses, before deciding to concentrate on of the production of fine cheeses. An aging room is set up in 2002 and the first soft cheese, Le Clandestin, is launched in 2004.
Since then, we have witnessed the love story between the cheese maker, its cheeses and its customers ! Many of our cheeses have won prestigious awards. The following are some of them:
- Le Clandestin, 1st prize of the American Chesse Society in 2012
- Le Sentinelle, 1st prize at the 2008 Sélection Caseus
- Le Verdict d'Alexina, winner of the Canadian Cheese Awards in 2014
- Le Marquis de Témiscouata, winner of the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix in 2009
- Magie de Madawaska, winner of the Canadian Cheese Awards in 2014
- Citadelle, 1st prize at the 2009 Sélection Caseus
- Grey Owl, 1st prize of the American Cheese Society in 2011